The sixth graders at Three Oaks Public School Academy went to Community enCompass to learn more about homelessness in Muskegon, MI. As part of their service-learning initiative this year, the sixth graders are focusing on homelessness and how they can help people in their community.
The service-learning initiatives have been introduced so that students learn how to be part of the change and solution to many of the unjust things happening in the world and in their own community.
Community enCompass is a neighborhood development organization serving the core-city neighborhoods of Muskegon. During their visit, they also connected with the Homeless Service Program (HARA) of Community enCompass.
The leaders of the program expressed that the students had great questions and that they were very impressed with their knowledge and insight. Some of the questions that they asked were:
- What are the main causes of homelessness?
- How much abuse is in the homeless population?
- Why do people degrade and attack homeless people?
- Where do homeless people sleep?
- What is the best solution for homelessness?
The students were intrigued by the presenters and their own personal and inspiring stories as well. They expressed that they were so happy to learn about Community enCompass, the service that they are providing to the community and how much they are doing it out of love and commitment to Muskegon.
The final part of the day was learning about solutions that they could offer. Students learned how they could serve food and the importance of getting in touch with their local officials and encouraging them to support the homeless population.
We are thankful for the opportunity that our students encountered at Community enCompass. It was a wonderful day of experiential learning.